Dining around the D: Eddie’s Gourmet

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DINING AROUND THE D

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Eddie’s Gourmet

Afavorite neighborhood restaurant in Oak Park is off to a fresh start.

Eddie’s Gourmet Restaurant & Bar adapted last year when Michigan’s pandemic safety order ended service inside restaurants and bars. Everything was going well with the carryout orders; then, a grill grease fire on Oct. 15 shuttered the place. Regular customers were afraid — especially because of the COVID pandemic

Esther Allweiss Ingber — that they’d never dine at Eddie’s again. When owner

Contributing Eddie Hanna reopened on

Writer March 1, happiness reigned.

The tiny eatery near Lincoln Shopping Center looks better than before. The only components untouched during the extensive renovation were large airy windows along two walls and the tiled floor. This refreshed Eddie’s features a new heating and cooling system, an added second entrance and a prettier decor. The improvements include new granite counters, burgundy-red seats and burgundy swirl pendant lights. However, Eddie’s remains a cozy space with 18 counter-side seats, seven tabletops and two booths. with specialty sauces, include Fettuccine

It’s reassuring to see the tried-and-true Morengo and Spaghetti Salmone. My favorgourmet entrees back. Featuring top-qual- ite is Palomino Vodka Pasta, ziti noodles ity meat, fish and poultry, the list includes in a creamy tomato sauce. Adding chicken Choice Steak Diane, Veal Picanti, Fresh or another protein makes for a wonderful Cold-Water Ruby Red Trout and Chicken entree. Marsala. These popular dishes are known Two specialties unlisted on the menu for their affordable prices compared to — just ask for them — are Hawaiian fries those at bigger and fancier restaurants. (without pineapple) and tender Roma

The pasta selections, also gourmet chicken bites. They’re saucy and shareable.

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EDDIE’S GOURMET RESTAURANT & BAR 25920 Greenfield Road Oak Park, MI 48237 (248) 968-4060 eddiesgourmetmi.com $$$ out of $$$$$

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Throughout its history of different owners and name changes, the unlikely fine dining spot also remains focused on simpler fare. There are items like hamburgers, Greek and Caesar salads, steak fries and omelets. Portions are generous.

I’m a soup person who adores Eddie’s thick and creamy tomato bisque. This soup, and lemon rice, are always available, plus a rotating choice. The stuffed pepper soup from my recent visit had the expected ground beef, rice and peppers in a tasty, savory broth.

Something else fairly new to mention is Eddie’s liquor license. Now adults may order beer, wine and hard liquor drinks.

The friendly man running the place is Eddie Hanna, an Iraqi-born Chaldean.

“I started here at 17 as a dishwasher and worked my way up,” he said. Hanna’s original boss, Peter K, bumped up the ambitions of a former Biff’s counterside diner by putting gourmet dishes on his menu. After Peter K, the restaurant continued as Giorgio’s, for its then-proprietor. Hanna bought Giorgio’s in 2003.

Family members working with Hanna are his wife, Wasa, who makes a dynamite pistachio pie, and their cooking son, Brandon, one of the couple’s 21-year-old male triplets. The Eddie’s Gourmet staff provides energetic and efficient service from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday.